Over the next three days, umterps.com will preview the Maryland softball season with insight from head coach Julie Wright. The team is set to make its 2017 season debut this weekend at the Texas Invitational. Today, we start with the infield. 

Three of the four positions will feature players who did not start at that position for the majority of last season. With the graduation of four-year starters Lindsey Schmeiser and Corey Schwartz in the middle infield, the two Terrapin greats will be replaced by former teammates. On the outside of the infield, a freshman will get the role of the hot corner while a two-horse competition will be the story at first base leading up to opening day on Friday, Feb. 10 against No. 16 Minnesota.

Junior Skylynne Ellazar had one of the best seasons ever in a Terrapin uniform last season. The Kahului, Hawaii native started in all 49 games she appeared in, hitting a tremendous .399 with a .458 on base percentage and .574 slugging percentage. Ellazar's .399 mark ranks as the third best single-season batting average in Maryland softball history. After starting most of the season at third base last year, Ellazar will make the move to shortstop for her junior season, anchoring an infield of which she was voted the captain by her teammates earlier this offseason.

“Sky Ellazar has really found a home at short,” said head coach Julie Wright. “She's worked hard on her game, on her footwork and her throwing. She was our leading hitter last year and brings a huge element. Sky also brings passion and energy to the infield as well nad great leadership. She has really settled in and done a nice job in preseason.”

Right next to her in the infield will be fifth-year senior Juli Strange, who spent the offseason recovering from an ACL-tear inflicted in October of 2015. The Valencia, Calif. native is no stranger to the infield, with a solid history of contributions the three seasons prior to last, with 145 starts. In 2015, Strange started all 54 games at third base, hitting .264 with a .383 on base percentage. The redshirt senior is back and ready to contribute.

“Juli is excited to be back. She's in her fifth year,” said Wright. “She brings a lot of experience and talent. I don't think anyone's seen her play in a long time so it's been great. I hadn't even had the ability to really coach her yet since we've only been here a few years.  It's been fun to watch her play. She brings wonderful defense to second base. She's going to do a great job over there and brings great leadership to the infield.”

Over at third base there will be a new face to Terrapin fans, but one that Coach Wright believes they are going to get to know very quickly.

“Anna Kufta is going to be an outstanding player and have a wonderful career here at Maryland,” praised Wright. “She's going to be well known by our fans both offensively and defensively.”

Kufta is the third west-coast native projected to start in Maryland's infield, hailing from Huntington Beach, Calif. The freshman comes to College Park with a plethora of experience and confidence, having won the 2016 Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championship with her club team last summer. After an impressive fall season, Kufta is ready for a dynamite freshman campaign at third base.

Unlike the other three positions on the diamond, first base is still an open competition between junior Jacqui Pascual and senior Jordan Aughinbaugh. Both saw time at first base last season, with Aughinbaugh getting the call in 28 games. Both Terrapins will be ready when they hear their number called.

“At first base right now we've got two kids competing,” said Wright. It's between Jacqui Pascual and Jordan Aughinbaugh. They're toe-to-toe, head-to-head every day. Working hard both offensively and defensively. They both bring different traits to it that are really good. Both are really competing hard to see who gets the job.”

With Ellazar and Strange up the middle and Kufta and Aughinbaugh or Pascual at the corner, the Maryland infield will provide strong offense and dynamic defense in 2017.

-Terps-